CYO/Camp Howard

★★Ben Qiao

This is the 3rd year for my kid to join CYO. I personally had good impression of CYO for the last two years. But the recent volleyball assessment drove me crazy. This is shown in CYO website about the assessment (also mentioned in CYO group email): 1. Assessments will all be on August 25 ... 2. Attendance at skills assessment is mandatory to be considered for the A team. My kid joined the assessment on 08/25 evening. A CYO group email later that day said that my kid was placed on B team. Then we noticed that one kid who didn't even joined the assessment was placed on A team (some parents told me later that per the Coach of the A team, that kid never played volleyball before). I immediately emailed the CYO director since if that kid was not qualified for A team, then my kid still had chance to join A team (where most of her friends were in). The CYO director replied (to me only) that: 1. The kid was placed on A team because the mom is the assistant coach. 2. The assessments are skill based and are evaluated by coaches of other grades. I replied that if it is a rule that the coach/assistant can place their (own) children in any team they want, please mention it somewhere in the website/assessment email. The CYO director replied that someone would investigate the issue by talking to the coaches. After 2 days (08/27), the same CYO director sent a CYO group email: 1. the kid who was not at assessments (08/25) was due to an illness; 2. the player was accessed on 08/27 and her skills earned her a spot on the A team. Perfect, the problem was solved! Isn't it? I was shocked that it took them 2 days to figure out such ridiculous solution. It is so difficult for people to comply with their own rules! I emailed the CYO director for the evaluation form for my kid, that kid, and another kid (who joined the 08/25 assessment and was placed on A team but didn't play the game during assessment due to an injure). No reply, of course! I emailed CYO organization for an explanation. On 08/29, a senior CYO director sent a group email: 1. Attendance is mandatory to be considered for A team, but there has always been "an unwritten exception". 2. "There are certain criteria used to assess a variety of skills, hustle, attitude teamwork, etc." Apparently, CYO has different definition of "mandatory", "all", or "skill based". I realized that it was just a waste of time for more discussion. I replied to the senior CYO director's email and ask for a public apology (e.g, via CYO group email) for the following "mistake" CYO made during this assessment: 1. the kid was placed on the A team on 08/25, 2. the kid took the assessment on 08/27. (Imagine your kid went to a test, and got B; but another kid who did not even join the test, got A before the make-up test. Would your kids think they were treated fairly?) The senior CYO director replied to my email, admitted that it was a mistake, and apologized. But no one would like to use the same CYO group email to admit their mistake or apologize. Who would?! And the senior CYO director's email also mentioned that the mistake was due to: "They did not understand the instructions explaining that the player doesn't follow the coach, but that the coach will follow their child’s team." However, on 08/04, a CYO group email mentioned that: ... XXX/YYY are coaching the A team Apparently, XXX and YYY (or someone) knew that their kids would be placed on A team 20 days before the assessment. Totally speechless! Does my kid have to be on A team? Not necessary. I really don't care whether my kid is in A team or B team; but I do care that whether my kid is treated fairly or not, and I really hope CYO also cares.

★★★★★Melissa Gergen

Camp Howard is a beautiful Camp, setting at the top of the Bull Run River Ridge. Soaring views of the rolling Cascade Mountains with Mt. Hood shinning as a backdrop. You will find exciting outdoor adventures here that will not disapoint. From a giant slip and slide, swimming pool, star gazing deck, archery 🏹 , Laser Tag, Zip line, and a Big Swing that will surely overcome fear. Enjoy the goats and wildlife that come with the Forested outdoors. Camp Howard will create amazing memories and build character within each person who is touched by this place. Did I mention the kitchen and the food they produce? Oh, well if you enjoy warm fresh baked cheesy rolls, they are famous for that! They also offer safe foods for people who have special dietary needs and take that very seriously. Come join the Camp Howard family for a week or two, maybe three. Hey, maybe you'd like to join the family for good! Jump aboard and have some good Christian based fun!

★DeRasha Peek

I honestly wish that I could give the CYO organization 0 stars! We just ended the basketball season with the CYO and this will be our last. The “seasoned” referees were a joke throughout the season and there was no consistency on what the kids were going to get called on. Each game was a surprise with what was allowed and don’t you even think to ask for any verification on the refs calls! The parents of our entire team were banned from attending any of the tournament games based solely on the words of the refs that were being challenged. We were treated as if we were criminals all because our coach challenged the refs calls. The commissioner was no help in any of this and refused to hear our teams side of what transpired during a single game that caused us to get banned from the remainder of the season. They are truly a disgraceful organization, especially to be considered a faith based league. Completely disgusted with our experience. Please think twice before signing your children up with the CYO.

★★★★★Reilly Spaniel

I had the pleasure of working with Sr. Krista on some improvements of the camp this off season. I can tell her and her team care deeply about the camp and what they can provide to their community. I would highly recommend this camp based on the professionalism and kindness of their team.

★★★★★Kelly Flynn

The kids in our neighborhood (Torreyview area) went for years. We even timed the weeks so us parents would be fancy free at the same time. My kids loved it---came back with so many funny stories. One was a bunch of 12 year-old boys surrounding a fish they'd caught that wouldn't die. The nun came over and clubbed it! Several boys fainted. Good stuff. Sorry to hear about some negative reviews but this is not a 'fancy' camp at all.